halbert andrew2018

Ministry Update 
Greetings Family and Friends! Here is an update on recent happenings!

I have a very exciting announcement about ESEPA, as of May of this year we own our property outright! For many years our property was owned by the denomination that founded the school, despite the fact that we are no longer affiliated with that denomination. In February, due to some unfortunate circumstances with that denomination, we had the opportunity to acquire our property for about $25,000, which was a tremendous bargain! The Lord graciously provided all the money in about 10 days and we were able to get the property transferred over to our name (it took a few months, but that is normal). This development was both unexpected and encouraging and we are no longer at risk of potentially losing our property due to financial issues facing the denomination. Thank you for your prayers for ESEPA and please continue to pray for good administration of the resources God has given us.

Last fall ESEPA acquired a new software program for managing student information and accounting. A small group of employees spent countless hours uploading information, reviewing and revising student information, and training on this software. We hope to go live at the end of August and we are very excited since this will be a great benefit to the Seminary and the students. Unfortunately, since we have such limited staff (most are part-time), there is a great deal of stress and pressure due to the implementation of this software. Please pray for our staff during this time and for guidance as we move forward with the resources the Lord has given us. 

One of our professors, who is also a fellow missionary, was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. We were able to get his courses covered, Hermeneutics was a group effort and I took over his Old Testament course. This help has allowed him to focus on chemotherapy and the rest he needs. Julie has been sharing meals with his wife while he has been in the hospital. His first round of chemotherapy went well and he is now receiving his second round. The journey ahead is a long one as he will be recieving at least 6 months of chemotherapy. Please pray for this couple as they traverse this difficult season. 
 
 
Residency Update 
What a long process this has been! We got all of our documents back in February of 2020 but, before we could get them translated and meet with immigration, COVID hit and shut immigration down for over a year. The good news was that, as long as immigration was shut down, we were not required to leave the country every 90 days. Now that the country and immigration are open again we had to get new documents from the US & translate them all. Our lawyer was able to get us an appointment with immigration in November, but until then we have to leave the country every 90 days to renew our visas.

Our most recent visa renewal trip was to Mexico because it was the cheapest option. Our favorite memory from this trip was watching our kids play with two local kids (the innocence and sweetness of children are such a display of God and His love for us). Though we enjoyed seeing another country, visa renewal trips are both costly and exhausting. 

Our next, and Lord willing last, visa renewal trip will be to the States. My (Julie) mother had her hip replaced August 5th and we will be flying up August 26th and staying until September 14th. This trip will allow us to get vaccinated, give Andrew a week at Columbia International University to work without distractions on ESEPA's accreditation, and give me the ability to cook, clean and help with Mom's recovery. 

Family Update
The kids finished up their school year with wonderful grades and we were able to go out to eat and treat them to a lava cake. Andrew's parents came down to visit while they had a break from school, which is always a wonerful blessing! We got to celebrate Mita's birthday with her, which was extra special! Now the kids are officially four weeks into 5th grade and 3rd grade and are adjusting well to homeschool once more.

I (Julie) continue to teach REFIT classes, but was out for a week due to a back spasm. I have scoliosis and daily back pain, so the Dr. ordered an x-ray to check my spine since it's never been done. The conclusion is that I will need aggressive physical therapy, which I hope to start late September once we are back from our visa trip.

Marcela (the owner of the gym where I teach) and I are praying about switching my REFIT classes to 5 PM (Mondays and Fridays) instead of mornings to try and reach more women. Most women work and are unable to attend morning classes. Please pray for wisdom as we seek the Lord.

How you can pray this month...
 -Pray for stamina and wisdom for the ESEPA staff, as well as for financial stability for ESEPA
 -Pray for the professor who is fighting lymphoma (and his wife).
 -Pray for wisdom concerning REFIT class times and for God to bring women who need to hear the Gospel.
 -Pray for Julie's Mom who had hip replacement surgery on August 5th, and our upcoming visa renewal trip stateside.
 -Pray for immigration to accept our paperwork in November and put us in process for residency.

Praise and Thanksgiving this month...
 -Praise God that the kids finished up the school year & have started 5th and 3rd grade.
 -Praise God we have an appointment with immigration mid November.
 -Praise God that we get to help Julie's Mom during a portion of her recovery.

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